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This morning's NY Times includes a series of letters to the editor about The Gates, both pro and con. One in particular written by a Marc Wallace of NYC impressed me:
"Perhaps the most glorious pleasure enjoyed by those observing and strolling on a Saturday afternoon in Central Park trhough Jeanne-Claude and Christo's 'Gates' (they would likely be the first to agree) is not so much the beauty and ingenuity of their work, but the magnificent canvas of diversity that is the people of New York City. "It's watching the people watching 'The Gates' that makes this experience so seminal." |
That's <i>every day</i> in New York City, thankfully.
And, frankly, I haven't noticed much "diversity" among the gates viewers (including this morning - what a beautiful day here!). Seems like a disproportionately high number of middle-aged white people are impressed by the sickly sea of "vomit orange." One thing if for sure, no one's opinion is going to be altered by this internet forum. |
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see the draw....much ado about nothing in my book! I'm much too practical to enjoy these peoples "art". (Now, where's my shield, 'cause I expect a few pigeons!). OSB.
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Late last night, I enjoyed watching and listening to Michael Kimmelmans video review on The Gates: An Appraisal in the Times.
As if we needed to be more homesick :) |
Hey, OldSouthernBelle, there's absolutely nothing wrong with not wanting to see The Gates. It's your decision based on your tastes. Fine. You'll get no flack from me. And, in return, I expect that you'll not condemn me for being enthused about it.
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Christo is bold and creates works of art which have the sole purpose of simply 'being'.
Look at the variety of opinions! Fantastic. I loved everything he's done of which I'm aware. Huge, bright, 3D, and finite. NYC is lucky to have it. mm |
Miami never appreciated Cristo's art in 1983, and surely never imagined what that single event would do to the city and its world-wide image. If you had known Miami then you'd really laugh at how far it has come. It was quite a derelict city with mostly retirees (although it's not a derelict city there are plenty of retirees). What I like about the Gates is that maybe this is the turning point when people will go to NY not to experience 9-11 but for this lively new look at the city and its originality. I only wish it were there longer. 16 days is not long enough. I won't be able to make it.
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TandooriGirl (and others unable to visit The Gates), check out the slide show and other information on:
http://www.nytimes.com/thegates It can't equal being there, but you'll get somewhat of an idea of what it's like. |
We did just get an e mail from our goddaughter who reports she is on here way to the gates from her ever so liberal college on the East coast. Although she is going to see it, she reports her friends who live in New York say it looks like Central Park is under construction.
She thinks she is cynical youth! Having passed long ago through the cynical youth period, I'd love the opportunity to see the gates! |
"One thing if for sure, no one's opinion is going to be altered by this internet forum."
Of course not, and what's more no one's opinion is likely to be altered by witnessing the "event" itself either. What's interesting is that those who posted before the event putting it down end up hating the result. And those who posted before saying it could be great for the city, have loved it. Is any one surprised by this. Most people's minds were made up before going. It isn't about the "art" itself. It's all about the concept. If you think the concept is stupid, you won't like it. If you think the concept is great, you probably will love it. As a theatre performer I totally understand the idea of a "fleeting" art exhibit. Friends always want video tapes of our productions. I think the brilliant thing about theatre is it happens once, and then it's over, only to exist in the minds of those who experienced it. This is the same sort of thing. I doubt that the actual orange fabric and gates would impress me, but the idea that all this work and all these people came together to creat and then experience something so huge and yet so temporary overwhelms me. |
I feel so lucky to live in NYC and to have a direct view of the Park from my apartment windows. I saw the Pont Neuf in Paris when it was "wrapped" and the experience stayed with me long afterwards. I believe it will be the same with the Gates. I walk my son to school through the Park every day, and we witnessed the transformation over several weeks. Yes, I wanted to love it, but I can honestly say it has surpassed my expectations. On saturday evening, as the wind rose, I stood listening for a minute, and the sound of the panels waving in the wind made me feel I was on a sailboat in the Caribbean. The whole experience has been magical, and I am happy to share it with everyone, native and tourist alike.
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It's a great experience. The bright orange gates set against the dead nature of Central Park is really neat. If you've ever been to the Great Wall, it's alike in the way that at any point all you see is the endlessness of it.
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Patrick, I do so agree with everything you said, even as far as videos of the theater productions of which I have been part. I have them all, but never want to see them. The memory, the feeling, the emotion are not something that can be can be captured on film. I love hearing about the teamwork and camraderie of the folks involved in Christo's projects. Their enthusiasm infects those allow themselves to be influenced by it.
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Well, I may not be enthused about the 'gates' ( they look more like arbors to me) BUT I have viewed alittle of Maggi's photography. Her work in impressive! I may actually like her photograhs of 'the gates' more than if I had seen them in person! ...Maybe we'll see soon!
Howard: Whatever floats your boat!:) Thanks, Belle. |
Patrick - I think your comments are a great summation of the varying opinions on this forum. It seems that very few people changed their preconceived idea of the Gates even after their visit. You are right, their inital thoughts on this exhibit didn't change.
I am very jealous of those of you who get to see the Gates whether you like it or not. We will be in New York in about a month, would have loved it have been there now. And for those of you who feel it's disruptive, after all it's only for two weeks. Patrick, I also agree with your ideas of the emotions tied in with a production or "fleeting" art. We also have a cabinet full of theatre productions that either myself or my girls were in. But we never watch them and the few times we have, it just isn't the same as experiencing it. |
I have lived in or near NYC most of my life. I entered the Gates through busy, very crowded Columbus Circle last Sunday afternoon. I had no idea how I'd respond to it, but I actually had a wonderful time watching all kinds of New Yorkers and world citizens take pictures of the Gates and each other and talk about this creation. It struck me that the people and their comments are all part of the art itself. The Gates also made me want to walk on and on; it's almost hypnotic, and it does set off the winter bareness of Central Park. Anyhow, it left me smiling, crowds or no crowds.
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My compliments, LKC. You have so perfectly captured the essence of what what The Gates experience is all about. Thank you.
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Ok! I guess I'm gonna have to be the one to say this. It never ceases to amaze me what elightened people call art.
My grandmother's clothesline looked better than this. It was a folkart experience with spontaneous color and line created by randomness. The pattern generated by gentle breezes was a sight to behold. And on days when only whites were hanging, the subtle play of tone-on-tone was inspired artistry. Just being in proximity to that display gave one such a peaceful feeling, one of being grounded to the reality of the moment with attachment to all who were represented by the individual parts assembled. |
Hey! Isn't this a travel forum?!? :D
I wish we had the Gates to fight over in Florida =D> It would take our minds off the construction that is raping and ruining our environment. How nice to see how Christo so naturally aligned with nature. And HowardR, I wish you wouldn't have pointed out that NY Times piece. Now I really feel bad that I can't be there. |
After a long run in Central Park yesterday, I stopped by the restrooms at the Delacorte for some H20. I encountered two tourist couples and asked them their opinion.
<b>"Laughingstock. New York is a laughingstock."</b> Why? I asked, extremely curious. Two reasons were offered. One: <i>"This is <b>New York City</b>.</i>. Is <i>this</i> the best you could do?!?" Two: "$21 million? For ugly curtains? It looks like a tacky construction zone." Unfortunately, I agree with them. I suggested they not offend the pseudo-intellectuals with their "unpopular" opinion, and that they enjoy the duration of their visit to New York. |
Gekko - You now have posted your opinion on this about 10 times. You are entitled to your opinion but so is everyone else. I think it's time for you to GET OVER IT AND MOVE ON...
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I for one think Christo's next project should be wrapping Gekko's apartment building ;)
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Gosh, Gekko. I can't wait until FFR&R. I hope you set the record straight with those tourists. Maybe they will get savvy and come to Florida and view some real art. We do this sort of thing all the time. In between destroying our few remaining natural honest spots, we are constantly striving to embellish nature with art. And we do it cheap, real cheap. After all, art should be cheap, first and foremost. Now let me tell you one example.
I'll get back to you when I think of one. |
Don't slay the messenger; I'm reporting what I heard, verbatim.
If certain people refuse to accept the opinions of others, so be it. I don't mind speaking for the silent majority who fear the wrath of the enlightened ninnies who pretend to like this travesty or even have convinced themselves of it. I love New York; I support the arts with multiple museum memberships; this gates fiasco is an embarrassment. |
Christo and Jean-claude, listen to the complaints and finger-wagging of the disgruntled in NYC. Even the tourists don't appreciate you. Please take a sharp turn south to Florida. We need your nirvana here. Once again. This time aim for the Gulf coast. Puh-lease. Pretty puh-lease. Those New Yorkers are taking you for granted -- I promise we will NOT do that, we will be adoring patrons of the arts, however we can get the arts, however you as the artist wants to give it to us. Florida. Once again.
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Gekko - We never said we refused to hear the opinions of others. In fact, we've all said that we respect the opinions of others. It would be nice if YOU respected those that like this exhibit but I guess that's asking to much.
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sorry should be too much -
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Gekko, I appreciate that you have several museum memberships, and I'm wondering what contemporarty artists you find challenging and exciting, or do you merely follow the herd and line up to see Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, etc. What non-mainstream artists do you support?
Do you attend galleries to see new artists, or do you spend your time looking at antiques hanging in the Met. What was the last exhibit you saw where you really felt challenged? |
I said early on in this forum that I don't personally care for Christo's conceptual art. I obviously "see" this kind of art with different eyes, a different perspective. And that's not to say that I'm right, nor to say that I'm wrong...it's just that art is relative...and I don't relate to Christo. I do however, respect others' observations, because I have found that sometimes one can get a "glimpse" into the vision of others.
What I find disturbing here is that both sides are getting bashed by the other. Gekko obviously detests the Gates. Enough said about that, but he's entitled to. I may be reading this wrong, but thit_cho seems to be bashing Gekko because he apparently only likes "mainstream art". Personally I find this kind of bashing to be particularly disagreeable. Thit_cho says, "or do you merely follow the herd and line up to see Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, etc." Millions of people have looked at and loved this art...including me. And yet, I do not feel like one of the great migrating wildebeasts when I stop to contemplate one of these masterpieces. "What non-mainstream artists do you support? Do you attend galleries to see new artists, or do you spend your time looking at antiques hanging in the Met." Once again, some of the "antiques" hanging in the met are well worth contemplating. And just because something is new (or old) doesn't mean it's worth looking at. And finally, "What was the last exhibit you saw where you really felt challenged?" Personally, Leonardo Da Vinci's drawings brought tears to my eyes. I saw war, I saw peace and my opinion of the world he lived in changed by seeing the world around him through his eyes. So I was challenged to learn more about him and his era. And finally, though there is not one all-inclusive definition of art, I believe it is meant to provoke thought and emotion. So whether one likes the Gates or not, it certainly has has done that here. ((S))((*)) |
kamahinaohoku, you've made some excellent points. I especially endorse you plea for more tolerance of other's tastes in art. Fortunately, my skin is thick enough and my self-image strong enough that I am able to chuckle over being referred one of the "enlightened ninnies" because I dared to react favorably to The Gates experience.
I'll even risk public shame and humility by returning to The Gates in a few days. |
Vittrad: ...wrapping Gekko's apt. building?...now THAT would require something that changes colors wouldn't it? That does sound more interesting to me! :P! Belle.
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We just got back Mon. night, the Gates are really nothing to look at, being from the manufacturing industry I guess my criticism is on how easy they are to make, and why didn't I get the work. We asked alot of the locals what they thought and most of them are quite upset at the wasted money, and how it looks like constuction scaffolding. On the other side on the plane ride home a guy had pictures of them on his laptop, with a dreary dark background the Gates look really neat.
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Viva the <font color="orange">Enlightened Ninnies!</font>
R5 |
It's not that Gekko doesn't like the art. That isn't the issue here. Some will like it and some will not, but it is nice when people can at least approach their viewing or experinencing it with an open mind. What is clear is that from before he ever saw it Gekko was seemingly obsessed with hating the very idea of the event to begin with.
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I've never seen so many people upset with a free $21-million public relations campaign. Do they care when Donald Trump builds casinos then files bankruptcy? Do they care about all the money that goes to sports teams or political campaigns? Why do they care so much about people spending their own money to bring art into a little postage stamp piece of the world? I just don't get it.
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One reason a large percentage of New Yorkers are upset is that it's BAD PR.
"It's <b>New York City</b>. Is <i>this</i> the best you could do? And for $21 million? Hanging ugly orange curtains from ugly orange frames?" And I'm happy to report that people don't seem as afraid to express their actual opinions anymore. Enough of the "silent majority" has spoken up about this embarrassment that people feel comfortable saying "Geez, it really is horrible!" The wheels are falling off the bandwagon, thankfully. Hopefully such a pathetic spectacle will be avoided in the future. |
It is outside of my realm of understanding how a person can be filled with such venom over a piece of art. (Ooops, I forgot, The
Gates isn't art to that person.) |
Some people like what they think they're "supposed" to like. Like those Bellagio "fountains" in Las Vegas. A string of faucets in a concrete pond in the desert. breathtaking (sigh)
Get yourselves up to Moosehead Lake, Maine if you want to see a work of art. Or the Virgin River Gorge. |
Don't misunderstand my post -- the artists that I listed (Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso) have earned there worldwide reputations for the reason that they are great artists. But the point I was making is that its very easy to point out there greatness, which is virtually indisputable. But its much more difficult to identity new artists that will be proven great, and since Gekko claims to be a member of NY art community (with his several memberships), I am curious what contemporary art he finds intriguing, challenging or noteworthy.
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